Israel and the occupied territories: ICRC helps released Palestinian detainees reach their homes

19-12-2011 News Release 11/263

Geneva/Jerusalem (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) yesterday helped 550 detainees released from Israeli places of detention reach the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

This operation follows an earlier release in October, when the ICRC assisted 477 Palestinians upon their release from detention."The released detainees en route to the Gaza Strip arrived at the Kerem Shalom crossing point. From there, we made sure they could return to their homes in Gaza," explained Juan Pedro Schaerer, the ICRC head of delegation for Israel and the occupied territories. "We also helped transport the ex-detainees from Israeli prisons into the West Bank".ICRC delegates conducted interviews with each detainee in private prior to their release